NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has announced a significant milestone in European defence cooperation, revealing that European allies and Canada increased their collective defence spending by 20% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This substantial rise follows the historic decisions made at the 2025 NATO summit held in The Hague.
Historic Commitment to Defence Investment
Speaking on the outcomes of the summit, Rutte emphasised that allies collectively agreed to elevate defence investment to 5% of GDP, marking a pivotal shift in strategic priorities. He highlighted that throughout 2025, there has been significant progress towards this ambitious goal, reflecting a renewed focus on security across the alliance.
Meeting the 2% GDP Target
Rutte noted a landmark achievement: for the first time, all NATO allies have met the defence spending target of at least 2% of GDP, which was originally agreed upon in 2014. This accomplishment underscores a growing commitment to shared security responsibilities and represents a major step forward in alliance cohesion.
Shifting Mindset and Reduced Reliance on the US
The NATO chief addressed past criticisms, acknowledging that European allies and Canada had been overreliant on US military might for too long, without taking sufficient responsibility for their own security. However, he pointed to a real shift in mindset and a collective recognition of the changed security environment, which has driven this increased investment.
Rutte expressed pride in the progress, stating, "As a European, I am proud of what we are doing." He emphasised that continuing this crucial trend of heightened defence spending will remain a priority in the coming years, ensuring sustained security and stability across the region.
The announcement signals a robust response to evolving global threats and reinforces NATO's adaptability in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
